The RIBA is asking government for a meeting to discuss how its members could help make vacant buildings available for use by NHS and other key workers.

Hundreds of empty hotel rooms, flats and commercial spaces could be loaned out to house NHS staff and other essential employees so they can live closer to hospitals and workplaces during the coronavirus crisis, it said in a letter sent jointly with the RTPI and RICS today.

They said many of their members worked for clients who owned vacant properties across the country and these could be used to help ease the strain on emergency service staff.

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